Hi! I have nothing to say for once. Just that this chapters is just back and forth letters from Arthur to Artemis. So enjoy this chapter. Questions, comments, and such are welcomed.
One week went by…
Two weeks went by…
Three weeks went by…
Artemis had her legs curled up in her chair. She sat in front of a desk, but at that moment she was staring out a window that if she was hundreds of miles closer she would be staring right at Camelot.
Artemis looked down and stared at the blank piece of parchment in front of her. She was paler than normal and looked somewhat sickly. Her eyes were dulled down and she seemed to be in pain. She looked stressed out. She rubbed her forehead in stress. Artemis picked up a writing utensil, but before she could do anything a man entered and threw several papers on her desk.
"What the hell is this?" she asked.
"Papers, my lady," the man said.
"No really? I had no idea."
"Uh… well… King Peter said that these are all the other laws that King John had made or disbanded. Peter wants to make sure that there's nothing else in there that could cause problems." Artemis sighed.
"Leave me," she said. The man left. Artemis started looking through the papers.
Artemis didn't sleep much that night, but that wasn't unusual lately. She sat on her window sill. Finally, she stood and went to a table in the corner. She sat down and stared at the paper.
Who knew such an empty, blank think could torture her so. She picked up a writing utensil and set it back down on the desk. She picked it back up and put it back down. She picked it up again and rolled it between her fingers. Artemis sighed and placed the quill to the paper. She wrote:
Dear Arthur,
A good part of me wants to not write this, but I think for once I should block that part out. I am sorry for what occurred the last time we spoke. I should have not been so harsh with you. I will admit I was trying to push you away from me. I was scared. I am scared. I don't what future lies ahead for me and I fear what the consequences would be for me, for us if I were to accept what I truly feel, but I fear now I have no choice. The first week without you I managed fine, the second week was a little worse, and then the third week was hell. It's now the fourth week without you, and I can't sleep. I can barely eat. I am overworking myself to get my mind off of Camelot, off of you. I have all the symptoms of a lovesick puppy. I'm a bit ashamed of myself really.
I was worried. I was worried that you were clouding my judgment. Master Saoirse and Galen had both in a away convinced me of this, but now they tell me differently. They tell me that they are worried for me. They fear that being away from Camelot is reverting me back to who or perhaps what I used to be, but it's not being away from Camelot. It's being away from you. I miss you. I have come to the conclusion that being away from you is not for the best. I will be returning once I find a suitable advisor for Peter. It shouldn't take long. I cannot guarantee that once I get back things will go over smoothly nor can I guarantee I won't try and push you away any longer, but I can promise that I will return.
Yours truly,
Artemis
Arthur received the letter three days hence. He read it and reread it. It didn't go unnoticed that day that Prince Arthur was in an incredibly good mood compared to the last month of gloom. He wrote back.
Dear Artemis,
You cannot imagine how I felt when I received your letter. I have no doubt when you return you will hear complaints from Merlin about how I have been acting. I accept your apology though I admit I have much to apologize for as well. You were simply telling me the truth and I wouldn't hear it. I refused to hear it. I should have accepted it, but instead I was stubborn about it like usual, and I still am stubborn. I refuse to admit there is no hope. I don't care if it takes eternity to convince you otherwise. I look forward to see you.
Sincerely,
Arthur
Dear Arthur,
I am glad you forgive me, and it, in a way, pleases me that you are so dedicated to have me, but it also torments me. I sometimes wish you would give up, but you are not that kind of man. You don't give up as much as I'd wish you would. How have you been as of late? Anything interesting in Camelot? Anything that would amuse me since I am so very bored.
Yours truly,
Artemis
Dear Artemis,
You are right. I will not give up. In fact, I refuse.
Since I got your letter, I have been better. Things in Camelot have been quiet up until recently. Recently, there has been strange attacks. A couple was found dead in the town the other day. It looked like an animal had attacked them, but there were human footprints leading away from them. My father was quick to assume it was a magical creature. I am not quite sure whether or not it is magic yet.
If it's not enough that I have to deal with the attacks, but Merlin's also been acting rather strange lately… stranger than usual that is. I can't quite place what it is. He goes off and disappears more than usually lately. Strange. But tell me, have you been better?
Sincerely,
Arthur
Dear Arthur,
It sounds like my brother may be involved with a woman. It sounds like love to me, but then again what would I know about love? Note my humor in the question. As for the creature you speak of, it sounds to me like your father may actually be right. There are not many humans alive today that can change their form and those that are alive even few can do it at will and have control over themselves. If it is a magical creature, I have no doubt that the person that is it does not mean to hurt others. I am afraid they are most likely cursed. It is a sad existence, and I feel bad for the creature.
On a more pleasant note, I am much better thank you. I believe that I will be leaving back to Camelot soon. I have found an advisor for Peter. A old friend of mine named Ayden. He's quite a pleasant fellow. He's very scholarly and wise, very opposite of you. He will be here in a week and I shall be back.
Love,
Artemis
Artemis,
The creature that I spoke of is no more. We injured and presumably killed it not long ago.
As for Merlin, he was upset awhile longer before finally he started acting normal again. Thankfully. I had much for him to do. He's been slacking on his duties.
I am pleased to hear that you are coming home. I have told the others and they are equally pleased. I will await your return with open arms.
Arthur
Arthur,
I am afraid I have bad news. At last! A staircase had defeated me. I was wandering around late the previous night and found myself flying. Well, needless to say, I was not flying. I was simply extremely tired and thought I was flying… until I collided with the ground and fell down the remaining flight of stairs. I know right now you are probably laughing at my stupidity, and I actually deserve that. The point is, I broke my leg and it will be a month more before I can return to Camelot. I know I was upset when I found out. I wanted to hit myself for my stupidity.
Sincerely,
The ludicrously clumsy,
Artemis
Artemis,
I laughed for five minutes when I read your letter. You are ridiculous, you know that don't you? Simply, ridiculous. You truly are ludicrously clumsy. The amount of times I could name you running into something, tripping, or simply doing something clumsy amazes me. I am surprised how good of a warrior you are sometimes. Hell, I'm surprised that you can stand on your own two feet half the time without killing yourself.
Still, it upsets me to hear you will not return for another month.
Arthur
Arthur,
Really? I bet I could count more times of you being a prat than me tripping over something. In fact, I bet my heart I could.
I'm laughing right now writing this. That's the one thing about writing letters. You can never tell the writers emotions.
Anyway, how's Ava? She isn't doing anything rash, is she? How's Morgana? How's everyone? How are you these fine days?
Artemis
Artemis,
I can imagine the expressions you use whilst you are writing your letters. I know you well enough.
Everyone is fine. Ava hasn't done anything rash. Her and Everett spend most of their days training, and if they aren't training one can usually wander upon them talking quietly amongst themselves in a secluded corridor.
Morgana… Merlin decided to convince me that there were people in Morgana's chambers the previous night, and like an idiot I listened. There was no one but an annoyed Morgana in there. You are right. I should not listen to Merlin.
Arthur
Arthur
Now, now, give Merlin more credit than that. He is actually right much of the time, but that is strange that he thought that…. Perhaps you shouldn't just ignore it. Merlin isn't an idiot despite what you believe sometimes. Nothing much is happening here. Just work, work, work.
Artemis
Artemis,
I think you were right. I am not a fool. A crystal was stolen from the vaults some nights ago. A crsytal called the Crystal of Neahtid. It can't be a mere coincidence that Merlin claims there are people in Morgana's chambers and then a crystal goes missing. That's too close for comfort. On a lead from Gaius, we are going to search a camp today. I'll tell you how it went in my next letter.
Arthur
Arthur,
That does seem to coincidental. Don't get me wrong I love Morgana like a sister, but… perhaps… has she been acting strange lately? I know I shouldn't accuse her of anything, but I know how strongly she feels against Uther's slaughter of the magical kind.
As for the Crystal of Neahtid…. I have heard of it before. It is said to be a crystal that if someone powerful enough holds it, they hold all of time in their hands. Such things… can be dangerous if used by the wrong people. Be wary.
Artemis
Artemis,
The crystal was recovered and the warlock, Alvarr, was executed. As for Morgana… she did have an outburst against Father the day after we recaptured the crystal. I am beginning to wonder what is wrong with her lately. I am sure she is just missing you as I am.
Arthur
Arthur,
I am all healed. I start my journey home today. I look forward to seeing you. I will be back in a weeks hence. Do not worry much about Morgana. All will be alright I believe. Do not reply to this. You will see me in a week.
Love Always,
Artemis
Artemis sent the letter out before she picked up her last bag. She was wearing her gypsy clothes again and her hair was no longer pin straight but rather messy and slightly curly but somehow that looked good on her. Artemis went out the door and with a farewell to Peter and Sarah and the others. She got on Libera and headed off towards Camelot, towards home.